Cruise Connection: Feel the Latin Beat
By Fabien DeGuffroy Are you a salsero (a salsa dancer or fan)? Do you enjoy the warm air and soft breezes of ocean cruising? If you answered yes to both, then a salsa cruise should be a must-do on your travel bucket list. Over the years, I’ve experienced many dance cruises — from ballroom to [&h
In Brief: Cruise ship in D.C., Viking boosts Picasso, and more…
Cruise News – Apr. 27, 2018 For the first time since the 1950s, a cruise ship was docked at The Wharf on D.C.’s Southwest Waterfront last Sunday. American Cruise Lines’ American Constitution called at the port during her inaugural cruise, a 10-night Chesapeake Bay sailing that was also the lin
Super Bowl Star to Battle Queen Latifah at Horizon Naming
As part of Carnival Horizon’s naming ceremony on May 23, Jake Elliott, kicker for the Super Bowl–Champion Philadelphia Eagles, will face off against godmother Queen Latifah in a special edition of Lip Sync Battle. The invitation-only event will welcome the ship to New York City while raising mon
Crystal Reveals Most Spacious Suites In Expedition Cruising
Cruise News – Apr. 25, 2018 If you think of expedition cruising is “roughing it,” you haven’t been following the development of Crystal Endeavor, Crystal Cruises’ 19,800 grt, 200-guest expedition yacht slated to debut in 2020. And today, Crystal wowed us with the first glimpse of the luxur
My Sandals Are Made From Yoga Mats And They Help Women
My mother always told me, “Sandals are not walking shoes.” Despite her confusing advice, I wore my sandals everywhere and on EVERY vacation. It wasn’t until I started getting older and my feet started getting more tired that I understood what my mom meant by “not walking shoes,” but I was
ROCK & ROYAL: Trio of Music Cruises on Royal Caribbean
Rock Music Cruises – Cruise News – Apr. 24, 2018 Classic rock? Prog rock? Heavy metal? Whatever floats your boat, On the Blue is singing your tune with a 2019 rock music cruise filled with round-the-clock performances by music legends and tons of artist events and meet and greets. FOR TH
In Brief: Norwegian Bliss delivered, Pandaw cruises river-to-ocean, and more!
Cruise News – Apr. 20, 2018 Norwegian Cruise Line has taken delivery of Norwegian Bliss, receiving the Alaska-bound Breakaway Plus-class vessel in a ceremony in Bremerhaven, Germany. Bernard Meyer, Managing Director of Meyer Werft, officially gave control of the ship to Captain Karl Staffan Bengts
Grape Destinations: Growing Your Own Home Vegetable Garden & Pairing Your Meals with Great Napa Valley Wines
Living in the Napa Valley, we’re blessed with a very moderate, almost Mediterranean climate, from average winter highs of 60 degrees to lows of 40, and in the summer, we typically average highs of 82 degrees and lows of 53. While we know it’s perfect for growing world-class wine grapes (my profe
Adventure Cruises You Have to Try
As a general rule, Caribbean cruises conjure up images of white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters, while Europe destinations offer up iconic cathedrals, castles and assorted antiquities of the past. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with viewing the spectacular sites of the Old World or
Grand Classica Celebrates Inaugural
Cruise News – Apr. 18, 2018 A classic ship sailed to Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, last weekend, as the second member of the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line fleet. The Italian-designed, 1,680-passenger Grand Classica (formerly Costa neoClassica) was greeted at the Port of Palm Beach by the Bak M
TRAVEL TIPS: A Side of Cozumel you Never Knew Existed
Ah, Cozumel. A port where you’re greeted by cheesy neon t-shirt vendors and a giant frog ready to hand you the biggest frozen margarita you’ve ever laid eyes on. Ride past all of that touristy nonsense to Beach Bum Bikes. Take a tour of the island’s eastern coast which is almost entirely unin
In Brief: Costa’s New Look, Ritz-Carlton itineraries, and more….
Cruise News – Apr. 13, 2018 To mark the line’s 70th anniversary, Costa Cruises is introducing new livery – in the form of a stylized Italian flag curving underneath the ship’s name in larger, more decorative lettering. The new look has already debuted on Costa Mediterranea, and will soon be
Made in China Part 2: The Terra-cotta Warriors
China’s initial capital, Xian, with a population of over 8 million today, was for centuries a bustling yet virtually unknown metropolis. Then in 1974, it burst onto the burgeoning stage of Chinese tourism with the happenstance discovery of over 8,000 terra-cotta warriors buried on a rural farm. Ar
First Cruise Ship With Rotor Sail
The ferry-cruiser Viking Grace has become the world’s first passenger ship to capture wind power with a high-tech rotor sail, a cylindrical device that propels the ship by spinning. Viking Line, the Baltic company based in the Åland Islands, already had a reputation for ecologically friendly trav
Cutting-Edge Art Aboard Holland America
Cruise News – Apr. 11, 2018 Holland America Line is marking World Art Day, April 15, with the introduction of the world’s largest emerging-art gallery, an experience designed to take place on board its ships and on shore during cruises. The program has been created in partnership with ArtLink, a
In Brief: Carnival adds 20 Havana trips, Viking combines ocean and river cruises, and more…
Apr. 6, 2018 Carnival Cruise Line has added another 20 voyages to Cuba on Carnival Paradise from Tampa in 2019. The 5-day trips will include day-long or overnight stays in Havana. These come in addition to the 17 Cuba cruises on Carnival Sensation from Miami in 2019. Viking Cruises announced its 201
MSC Cruises Introduces Vinotherapy Spa Treatments
MSC Cruises has launched a signature collection of vinotherapy spa treatments, created with LAJATICA vinotherapy products from Bocelli Wines. Exclusive to the MSC Aurea Spa, the treatments have debuted on the Miami-based MSC Seaside, and will soon be introduced on MSC Cruises ships fleetwide. Wh
American Duchess to participate in her first Great Steamboat Race
American Queen Steamboat Company, operator of the most opulent riverboats in the world, will participate in the 2018 Great Steamboat Race in Louisville on May 2, 2018. The U.S.-flagged American Duchess, the first all-suite paddlewheeler on U.S. waters, will race alongside Belle of Louisville and
TRAVEL TIPS: Port Mooloolaba – A New Kid on the Block
Port Mooloolaba, a jewel of Australia’s Sunshine Coast, has long been a getaway for local Aussies. For the last few years (since 2014), cruise travelers have also begun to experience what this bustling port town has to offer. Popular excursions include visiting the Australia zoo, trying local ging
